QUESTIONING AND ITS TRUE VALUES IN THE PROCESS OF LEARNING AND TEACHING TO PROMOTE CRITICAL THINKING

Questioning stands at the core of massive communication in general and between a teacher and a student in particular. It is a process teachers and students face every day. It is a powerful tool to stimulate and support critical thinking. Being an active element in the whole teaching and learning process, questioning fulfills a fruitful conversation between students and teachers and the whole community. Since ancient times, Socrates, the Greek philosopher tried to lead his students towards the discovery of the truth itself by means of questioning. ‘Six honest servants have taught me everything that I know; their names are: What? Why? When? How? Where? Who? This is homage paid by Kipling to his six teachers (Reference stated in Aspects of Teaching and Learning, AEDP, Tirana, Albania 1997). People ask but sometimes it is difficult for them to get the right answers they have been looking for. At times this is true because of the lack of knowledge and because of the fact that the question itself is not accurate. Questioning is marked as a component part of the four language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. It is of great interest among teachers who want to know more about this issue. This research paper is based on the experience gained by working with teachers who showed enthusiasm and self- confidence for the application of new methodologies and strategies in their classrooms. The attitude of the Albanian teachers towards the concepts of teaching has changed, so they have become well-aware of what and how to ask while trying hard to get integrated in all spheres of European reality. Brainstorming, pair-work, role play, questioning techniques, discovering lessons have now become an inseparable part of teacher's work and their active vocabulary as well.